It's entirely possible there is no defending against Rokuro's ability to effectively destroy a person from the inside out, at least if you are mortal. He has tried and failed to kill gods, and the modern machine is mostly immune.
On one hand, the Unno priests are the most powerful line of sorcerers his Japan has ever seen, and on the other... Well, Rokuro is only sitting up by sheer force of will. If Kylo wanted to push him over, hold him down, or choke him in this weakened state, there is very little he could do to stop him.
Yes, Rokuro is powerful, but in many ways he is equally fragile. Behind the barrier and the blessings of gods, he is simply a slender young man of below average height and weight. If Kylo hadn't removed him from the battlefield after he fell, Rokuro would have been killed or captured without struggle.
Which is why Kylo's insistence that he won't use (or abuse) Rokuro's power and leave him in such a state again is so strangely touching. Entirely consumed with his own inability to both utilize his power and remain self-sufficient, he simply hadn't considered not being put in a position to fail.
The surprise is somewhat evident on his tired face. For a moment it looks like he may argue, because his self-identity has always been tied into his ability to self-sacrifice, but then... he simply nods with a quiet sigh.
"I am not afraid to die, however... it is too soon. I should like to be useful a while longer. I do not need to meet my end upon every hill I battle upon. Thank you for reminding me."
no subject
On one hand, the Unno priests are the most powerful line of sorcerers his Japan has ever seen, and on the other... Well, Rokuro is only sitting up by sheer force of will. If Kylo wanted to push him over, hold him down, or choke him in this weakened state, there is very little he could do to stop him.
Yes, Rokuro is powerful, but in many ways he is equally fragile. Behind the barrier and the blessings of gods, he is simply a slender young man of below average height and weight. If Kylo hadn't removed him from the battlefield after he fell, Rokuro would have been killed or captured without struggle.
Which is why Kylo's insistence that he won't use (or abuse) Rokuro's power and leave him in such a state again is so strangely touching. Entirely consumed with his own inability to both utilize his power and remain self-sufficient, he simply hadn't considered not being put in a position to fail.
The surprise is somewhat evident on his tired face. For a moment it looks like he may argue, because his self-identity has always been tied into his ability to self-sacrifice, but then... he simply nods with a quiet sigh.
"I am not afraid to die, however... it is too soon. I should like to be useful a while longer. I do not need to meet my end upon every hill I battle upon. Thank you for reminding me."